Occupational hearing loss refers to partial or complete deafness due to exposure to loud sounds at the job. The loudness and strength of sound vibration is measured in terms of decibels and exposure to noise above 90 decibels constantly puts you at risk of losing your hearing. This means that the sound vibration is intense enough to cause permanent damage to your inner ear, something which is usually irreversible.
Jobs causing deafness
Quite a few jobs and hobbies expose you to loud sounds and these can cause noise-induced hearing loss. Ardent computer game players can often be exposed to constant music, loud explosions and other sound effects, but it's you - as a sound designer - who either creates or records these. Similarly, professional sports players that play in enclosed arenas endure crowds cheering - for example when playing basketball, but it's you - as a boom operator or field sound engineer who also experiences the noise.
Musicians and sound recordists are consistently exposed to loud music or other loud sounds (for example recording sound effects for movies). For recording engineers and music makers, ears are the main tool that they use to regulate the volume and tonal qualities of the sounds which go into making music. Noise-induced deafness in these cases is often due to the loudness and duration of exposure. So, even though they may not be exposed to extremely loud sounds, but exposure to moderately loud sounds constantly throughout the day, everyday, is a sure way to hearing damage. Choosing a good pair of speakers is important. Harshness at certain frequencies will cause problems. Speaker reviews will help you determine which are the best ones for you.
Live sound engineers may also suffer from occupational hearing loss. Mixing a big stadium gig is ironically often less taxing than mixing a smaller gig. For one, the equipment is better - you may rely on a spectrum analyzer to tune the PA rather than have to induce feedback before you can adjust graphic EQs
How to protect your hearing
The main symptom of occupational hearing loss is partial or complete deafness, which keeps on getting worse with continued exposure if steps are not taken to prevent hearing damage. Sometimes the hearing loss may be accompanied by a sound such as buzzing in the ear. This is called tinnitus.
You should pay special attention to your hearing, because sound recordists with poor hearing a sound engineers without a job. Give your ears a rest, limit the loudest sessions to perhaps just the final run through of the mix; if you're recording live sound and you're a boom operator, wear earplugs that attenuate all frequencies evenly.
In case of hearing loss, you should consult an audiologist who can provide the right hearing aid to you. Know that hearing loss can become total deafness. So, always listen and follow the instructions of your audiologist. This will ensure that any damage to your hearing does not get even worse.
Jobs causing deafness
Quite a few jobs and hobbies expose you to loud sounds and these can cause noise-induced hearing loss. Ardent computer game players can often be exposed to constant music, loud explosions and other sound effects, but it's you - as a sound designer - who either creates or records these. Similarly, professional sports players that play in enclosed arenas endure crowds cheering - for example when playing basketball, but it's you - as a boom operator or field sound engineer who also experiences the noise.
Musicians and sound recordists are consistently exposed to loud music or other loud sounds (for example recording sound effects for movies). For recording engineers and music makers, ears are the main tool that they use to regulate the volume and tonal qualities of the sounds which go into making music. Noise-induced deafness in these cases is often due to the loudness and duration of exposure. So, even though they may not be exposed to extremely loud sounds, but exposure to moderately loud sounds constantly throughout the day, everyday, is a sure way to hearing damage. Choosing a good pair of speakers is important. Harshness at certain frequencies will cause problems. Speaker reviews will help you determine which are the best ones for you.
Live sound engineers may also suffer from occupational hearing loss. Mixing a big stadium gig is ironically often less taxing than mixing a smaller gig. For one, the equipment is better - you may rely on a spectrum analyzer to tune the PA rather than have to induce feedback before you can adjust graphic EQs
How to protect your hearing
The main symptom of occupational hearing loss is partial or complete deafness, which keeps on getting worse with continued exposure if steps are not taken to prevent hearing damage. Sometimes the hearing loss may be accompanied by a sound such as buzzing in the ear. This is called tinnitus.
You should pay special attention to your hearing, because sound recordists with poor hearing a sound engineers without a job. Give your ears a rest, limit the loudest sessions to perhaps just the final run through of the mix; if you're recording live sound and you're a boom operator, wear earplugs that attenuate all frequencies evenly.
In case of hearing loss, you should consult an audiologist who can provide the right hearing aid to you. Know that hearing loss can become total deafness. So, always listen and follow the instructions of your audiologist. This will ensure that any damage to your hearing does not get even worse.
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You don't want to end up with the aggravation of tinnitus, so choose adequate hearing protection any time you will be exposed to loud noises.
